Firearm Training Target and a Method of Using the Same

ABSTRACT

A target system and a method for using it are disclosed. The target system contains a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, an outer perimeter, and a first plurality of through openings forming a first pattern, wherein the first plurality of through openings are configured to prevent a bullet from passing through the target system. The method disclosed teaches how to use the target system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/500,796, filed on May 3, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a target. More particularly, the present invention relates to a firearm training target and a method of using the same.

BACKGROUND

Targets for use with firearms are popular to enhance one's shooting ability and for sighting in weapons. A variety of target types are available. Many of the targets available are destroyed during use. Other types of targets need to be reset or repositioned manually during use. It would be advantageous to develop alternative targets for use with firearms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a target system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts another view of a target system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts another view of a target system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts another view of a target system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts another view of a target system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts another view of a target system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts another view of a target system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a method if using a target system according to the present disclosure;

In the following description, like reference numbers are used to identify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements, and are not drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all of the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a target system 10 is shown according to the present disclosure. The target system 10 comprises a front surface 12 and a rear surface (not shown) opposite the front surface.

According to some embodiments, the target system 10 comprises a plurality of through openings 15 forming a pattern 20. The through openings 15 are sufficiently small enough to prevent a bullet, of the caliber of firearm being utilized with the target system 10, from passing through the openings 15.

According to some embodiments, the target system 10 may comprise multiple patterns formed from a plurality of through openings. The target system 10 may comprise a plurality of through openings 25 forming a pattern 30. The target system 10 may comprise a plurality of through openings 45 forming a line pattern separating the pattern 20 from the pattern 30.

According to some embodiments, different patterns formed from through openings may be embedded within other patterns. Referring to FIG. 2, through openings 18 may be formed within the pattern 20 to form another pattern 22 as shown in FIG. 2. According to some embodiments, through openings 28 may be formed within the pattern 30 to form another pattern 32 as shown in FIG. 2. According to some embodiments, multiple patterns formed from through openings may be formed on a target system according to the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, patterns 300, 310, 320, 330 and 340 are formed using through openings 302, 312, 322, 332 and 342.

Although the patterns 20 and 30 are circular, it is to be understood that the plurality of through openings may form other geometric and non-geometric patterns. According to some embodiments, through openings 50 and 55 form triangular patterns 52 and 58 respectfully as shown in FIG. 4. According to some embodiments, through openings 60 and 65 form rectangular patterns 62 and 68 respectfully as shown in FIG. 5.

According to some embodiments, the target system 10 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-6) comprises an outer perimeter that is shaped as a human form comprising a head section 35 and a body section 40. According to some embodiments, the target system 10 comprises an outer perimeter that is shaped as a rectangle 70 as shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 7. It is to be understood that the target system 10 may comprises an outer perimeter that is, for example, circular, triangular, oval, square, or a combination of any of these shapes. It is to be understood that the target system 10 may be geometric shape.

According to some embodiments, the target system 10 may be coupled with a post 80 using one or more fasteners 85 as shown in FIG. 1. According to some embodiments, the target system 10 is mounted to the post 80 at an angle to allow bullet splatter to be diverted to the ground and away from the shooter. According to some embodiments, the target system 10 is mounted at 28-30 degree angle. According to some embodiments, the target system 10 is mounted with the front surface 12 leaning towards the ground. According to some embodiments, the target system 10 may be suspended from a one or more support members 90 using one or more chains 95 as shown in FIG. 6.

The target system 10 may be formed from a variety of materials. The material chosen is preferably strong enough to withstand the impact from a bullet of the caliber of firearm being utilized with the target. Example materials for the target system 10 may include aluminum alloys, steels, stainless steel, armor plate, ceramics, composite materials, synthetic materials and laminates.

According to some embodiments, pattern 100 may be formed using two through openings 105 and 110 as shown in FIG. 7. According to some embodiments, pattern 200 may be formed using two through openings 205 and 210 as shown in FIG. 7.

According to some embodiments, the through openings described above are machined, laser cut, and/or formed using water jet.

Referring to FIG. 8, a method for using the target system 10 is disclosed according to the present disclosure. At 230, a firearm shooter shoots at the target system 10. The bullets hitting the target system 10 leave marks on the front surface 12. At 240, the firearm shooter paints the front surface 12 to hide the marks left by the bullets. The firearm shooter may use a roller or a spray-paint can to apply paint to the front surface 12. As the firearm shooter applies paint to the front surface 12, the paint passes through the through openings 15. Having the through openings 15 allows the firearm shooter to quickly paint the front surface 12 without having to create one or more patterns to aim at during the next shooting session. According to some embodiment, the through openings 15 are sufficiently large enough to allow the paint to pass through the openings 15. At 250, the firearm shooter may, optionally, resume shooting at the target system 10.

While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “plurality” includes two or more referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains. 

1. A target system comprising: a front surface; a rear surface opposite the front surface; an outer perimeter; and a first plurality of through openings forming a first pattern, wherein the first plurality of through openings are configured to prevent a bullet from passing through the target system.
 2. The target system of claim 1, wherein the outer perimeter is geometric shape.
 3. The target system of claim 1, wherein the outer perimeter is human shape.
 4. The target system of claim 1, wherein the first pattern is geometric.
 5. The target system of claim 1 further comprising a second plurality of through openings forming a second pattern, wherein the second plurality of through openings are configured to prevent the bullet from passing through the target system.
 6. The target system of claim 5, wherein the second pattern is formed within the first pattern.
 7. The target system of claim 5, wherein the second pattern is formed adjacent to the first pattern.
 8. The target system of claim 1, wherein the through openings in the first plurality of through openings are elongated.
 9. The target system of claim 1, wherein the through openings in the first plurality of through openings are semicircular. 